The XIT Ranch encompassed land in ten counties of the Texas Panhandle and was established through the exchange of public lands to finance construction of the state capitol. In 1887, it was divided into seven divisions, and the largest, the Spring Lake pasture division, covered parts of Parmer, Castro, Bailey, and Lamb counties. Its northern boundary line, near this site, ran across what is now U.S. Highway 385. The Spring Lake division was noted for breeding Hereford cattle and also served as an election polling place for citizens in Castro, Bailey, and Lamb counties.